Take Control of Your Breast Health: Using Natural Supplements and Remedies

Nowadays, you can hear the news about the recent evolutionary leaps in breast-enhancement science and breast-health issue covered by respected national television programs as well as national newspapers. One of the most important aspect is the use of natural supplements and remedies. Sadly, it is one of the most neglected as well.

Why is it neccessary to use natural supplements and remedies? Because often the body needs extra help in the form of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Even though you want to eat nutritious meals, sometimes you're too busy to achieve that goal. Unless you buy organic or whole foods, much of the food on the market lacks adequate nutritional value.

There are many things in the environment that deplete nutrients from your body, including physical and emotional stress, pollution, insufficient sleep, smoking, over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs, caffeine, as well as alcohol. Sometimes you experience symptoms that respond well to natural remedies, which allows you to avoid use of conventional drugs and their associated side effects. You may also be under necessary chemotherapy or radiation treatment and your body can benefit from the healing powers of natural remedies.

At minimum, all women need to take a multivitamin-mineral supplement, even those who eat a healthy diet, because of the reasons just mentioned. Think of your supplement as an insurance policy: it's no guarantee that you won't get sick, but it's an economical, safe way to help promote and maintain breast health. The recommended supplement dosages for overall breast health are shown below.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are any vitamin, mineral, or other nutrient that fights or works against (anti) the cell-damaging process called oxidation. To fight free radicals, you need antioxidants. Although the best sources of most antioxidants are fresh fruits and vegetables, you can enhance your diet and your breast health by taking supplements. Four of the most common antioxidants are vitamins A, C, and E, and the mineral selenium; known collectively as ACES. They are standard ingredients in multivitamin-mineral supplements.

B Vitamins

The B vitamins are considered as a family because they work closely together in metabolic processes and in strengthening the immune system in its fight against cancer. Although each individual B vitamin may not possess specific cancer-fighting powers, collectively they appear to have anticancer abilities. Although this vitamin is found primarily in meat and dairy products, many foods are fortified with B12, including cereals and soy products. Natural sources of B12 are nutritional yeast and sea vegetables, such as kelp, dulse, and other seaweeds.

Calcium

Calcium has been identified as a cancer-preventive nutrient. Many women have the misconception that they must consume dairy products to get enough calcium. Yet soybeans, soy products, legumes, beans, cruciferous vegetables, calcium-enriched orange juice, and seaweed provide an excellent supply of calcium, plus you get cancer-fighting phytochemicals and a good dose of protein. One cup of cow's milk, fortified soy milk, and fortified rice milk all contain about 280 milligrams of calcium.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D, the "sunshine vitamin"—so named because the body produces it when exposed to the sun for about 10 minutes a day—has been associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer in several studies. In 1999, for example, researchers with a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey study reported that their "data support the hypothesis that sunlight and dietary vitamin D reduce the risk of breast cancer."

Other Recommended Natural Supplements

In addition to a multivitamin-mineral supplement, several other substances can be a helpful part of your breast health program. They include glutathione, green tea, indoles, red clover, and soy isoflavonoids. You may want to include these as part of your overall breast health program, especially if you are at risk for breast cancer.